Daily Life

Tomorrow marks the first day of my lengthy staycation. I’ve blocked out my calendar for some much needed rest, creative play time, and general puttering about the house. At first I thought I’d make a big list of things to accomplish but it felt restrictive and had the nuance of work so I decided to nix the idea altogether. Mostly I want to decorate a few rooms, hike green trails, read from my book pile, and pick up my camera more often. I feel like a kid whose parents have promised them a trip to Disneyland. Giddy with nervous energy and excitement.

Do you love round up posts? I do. Biggest selling points – they’re condense and generally contain a variety of topics, products, or tips. It’s like one-stop shopping. Here are a few things on my radar at the moment.

Sipping piping hot cups of tea in the evening. This is my current crush.

How to break your cookie habit – or insert any unwanted habit you’d like to change.

in·ten·tion: /inˈten(t)SH(ə)n/ a thing intended; an aim or plan.

We’ve turned the corner on another year and I have to say I’m feeling very optimistic about the possibilities that come with a bright new set of 365 days. My mind has been traipsing in and out of thoughts on how to make it more meaningful both personally and professionally. For years my husband and I have sat down on the 1st and written out our yearly goals as a couple. They’ve included things we hope to accomplish together like building a house, financial projections, vacation plans, and personal ones of more time spent together doing this or that. Our small annual “board” meeting helps guide the ship as we touch on them every month or so to get a sense of where we’re headed.

The last month or so I’ve really focused on the direction of my business. Most of you may not know this but I have been self employed since 1995. It didn’t dawn on me until a friend recently celebrated being in business for 20 years and it made me reflect on my -now going on 22. I’m terrible at celebrating my own milestones and usually let them slip by without fanfare. Maybe that needs to change going forward. Anyway, all of this babble brings me to my actual topic – reflections and intentions for the year ahead.

I still love this little space on the interwebs. Though the reality is it’s been severely neglected (only 10 posts in 2016!) my intention is to reconnect with you here and return to a way of posting I used to enjoy. And for that I’ll need to tap into my dinosaur blogging roots circa 2007. Back then, posts were much more casual and I loved the no-pressure aspect. They were simpler, less fussy with little to no production involved. Every post didn’t have the weighted measure of bringing something “of value” to the reader or sponsor. And yet, people still loved them and found connections with one another by way of common interests or aspirations.

So that’s my plan. Candid posts with perhaps less polish. Maybe shorter ones too. And I’ll toss in a few elaborate posts for good measure (and practice). I don’t know….I think I’m winging it at this point but it doesn’t sound half bad from my perspective. Nor overwhelming. Let’s just roll with it shall we? I’m feeling invigorated!

I hope you’ll stick around this year and we can get to know each other. For me, one of the best parts about this blog is chatting with you in the comments. Within them we’ve shared recipes, shopping finds, travel tips, other blogs we find inspiring, family memories and traditions, all kinds of wonderful topics that help us connect as a community. Which in the end, is what it’s all about.

Hello! I wanted to pass along one of my favorite purchases this year, a handcrafted leather tote made by local LA based leather works company 1.61 Softgoods. Seriously. Obsessed with it. The quality is impeccable. The simplicity and attention to detail are what caught my eye. It’s handcrafted from a single piece of leather with modern solid brass handles, cleats, and rivets.

They were designed over the course of 6 months in collaboration with Baum-kuchen which is where I bought mine. Usually I keep it in my office to hold my planner, phone charger, and memory cards for my camera but it makes for a beautiful picnic tote and market basket for quick trips to the farm stand. I purchased the large size with cleats but I think it needs a little sister…so I’ll probably bring that one home next. Don’t you just love finding something that makes you giddy?